Oyster tongs

ABSTRACT

Tongs for harvesting oysters including two grated baskets pivoted to a support frame in opposed relation for actuation between open and closed positions by a hydraulic motor mounted on the support frame to directly drive one basket which in turn is connected to the other basket by a linkage for driving the latter in unison. The tongs are raised and lowered in water from a boat by a cable driven by a hydraulically operated switch. Operation and control of the tongs and the winch is achieved through a hydraulic system including foot pedals which actuate control valves for supplying and exhausting hydraulic fluid to and from the motors associated with the tongs and the winch.

United States atent Meadows Nov. 2d, 1973 [54] OYSTER TONGS 2,171 8/1866Great Britain 37/55 [76] Inventor: J. Thomas Meadows, 74 Bowman ury, Md.21801 Primary ExaminerRobert E. Pulfrey [22] Filed: Man 16 1972Assistant Examin erClifford D. Crowder Att0rneyFrancis C. Browne et a1.[21] Appl. No.: 235,226

[52] US. Cl 37/119, 37/55, 37/71, ABSTRACT [51] [m CH 5g; Tongs forharvesting oysters including two grated bas- [58] Fieid 1 19 183 ketspivoted to a support frame in opposed relation for 1 actuation betweenopen and closed positions by a hydraulic motor mounted on the supportframe to directly drive one basket which in turn is connected to [56]References Cited the other basket by a linkage for driving the latter inUNITED STATES PATENTS unison. The tongs are raised and lowered in water3,608,217 9/1971 VOlSlIl, SI. 37/119 X from a boat a cable driven ahydraulically oper- 3,523,614 8/1970 walker 37/71 X ated switch.Operation and control of the tongs and 3 g 3 5? the winch is achievedthrough a hydraulic system in- 3641689 211972 3 22 gton g7/187 X eludingfoot pedals which actuate control valves for 2621428 12/1952 g: 37/187supplying and exhausting hydraulic fluid to and from 3:513:572 5 1970Noret...::::. 5 I/187 x the associated with the ttmgs and the Winch-FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 680,75910/1952 Great Britain 37/188 PAlENTEunnveolsn $772,806

SHEET 2 BF 3 FEE OYSTER TONGS OBJECTS OF INVENTION The present inventiongenerally relates to harvesting oysters from a boat or watercraft, andmore specifically, to a system for harvesting oysters including a noveltong mechanism for harvesting the oysters from their bed' below water.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedsystem for harvesting oysters from a watercraft in a relatively simplebut highly efficient manner requiring few personnel and little or nomanual effort. Included herein is the provision of such a system whichmay be employed to increase the yield of harvested oysters withoutincreasing labor cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel tongmechanism incorporated in said system for picking up oysters from anoyster bed and for holding the same until deposited on the watercraftabove water. Included herein is the provision of such a tong mechanismwhich has a highly compact and durable construction facilitatinghandling during operation as well as storage on a boat when not in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such atong mechanism which will achieve the above objects without sacrificingits oyster handling capacity and capability.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The above and other objects are achieved in anoyster harvesting system including an oyster tong mechanism havingopposed baskets mounted on a frame for pivotal movement between openposition for harvesting oysters from an oyster bed and a closed positionfor holding harvested oysters until deposit such as on a boat. Theoyster tong mechanism is raised and lowered in water from a boat bymeans of a cable mounted on a boom and pulley unit supported on a boat.The cable is actuated for lowering and raising the oyster tongmechanisms in the water by means of a winch mounted on the boat. Thewinch and tong mechanism are actuated by hydraulic motors respectivelyassociated therewith and under the control of a hydraulic system whichis operated by a plurality of foot pedals mounted at a convenientstation on the boat to enable a single operator to harvest oysters whilehaving his hands free for other work during the harvesting operation.

In one preferred embodiment, the baskets of the tong mechanism each havea grate construction including a plurality of elongated rods extendingin the longitudinal direction of the basket and being arranged to forman enclosure when the baskets are in closed opposed position relative toeach other. A plurality of ribs extend transversely across the elongatedbasket rods, there being a main central rib in each basket employed fortransmitting motion to the baskets for actuating the same. Each of thebaskets has a plurality of diagonal struts diagonally intersectingsections of the baskets on opposite sides of the main or central rib toprovide added reinforcement to the baskets. The lower longtitudinal edgeportions of the baskets are provided with plurality of projectingfingers for facilitating initial pickup of the oysters. Additionally,adjacent fingers on the baskets mesh or overlap with each other when thebaskets are in closed position to, in effect, close the bottom of thebaskets to prevent oysters from escaping from the bottom of the baskets.

Actuation of the baskets is achieved in the preferred embodiment by ahydraulic or other fluid operated motor having a reciprocable drive rodconnected to the main or central rib of one of the baskets to pivot thesame between open and closed positions upon retraction and extension ofthe drive rod. The other basket is pivoted in unison with said onebasket by means of a linkage mechanism including a straight linkinterconnecting the baskets for transmitting motion from said one basketto the other basket. The tong motor, including its drive rod, is mountedin close parallel relationship to the frame which mounts the baskets,thereby lowering the overall center of gravity of the tong merchanism tofacilitate handling while in use as well as to provide a more compactapparatus for storage. The linkage mechanism is also mounted paralleland close to the opposite sides of the basket support frame, therebyfurther enhancing the compact construction of the mechanism,

The tong mechanism is attached to the pulley cable by means of an eyemounted on a pair of vertical straps secured to the basket support framein straddling relationship to the motor to further secure the motor inthe desired parallel position relative to the basket support frame. Themotor is further secured to the frame by a bracket projecting from itsrear end and suitably connected to the basket support frame.

DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing more detailed description taken in conjunction with theattached drawings in which:

FIG. l is a schematic view of a system including apparatus forharvesting oysters in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of oyster tongs included in the systemof FIG. 1 shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the oyster tongs in afully open position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the oyster tongs when in fully open position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tongs when in fully closed position; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a hydraulic control system for operatingthe apparatus in the system of FIG. ll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. Ishows for illustrative purposes only a system for harvesting oysters inaccordance with the present invention from a water craft or boat 8utilizing oyster tongs l0 raised and lowered in the water 11 by means ofa powerdriven winch 12 connected to the tongs 10 by a cable 14; thelatter being received over a pulley 16 mounted on a boom and mast unit18. As will be described in greater detail, the tongs l0 and winch 12are hydraulically driven by associated motors controlled by foot pedalslocated on the boat at station 20 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and Al, tongs include opposed baskets having agrate construction including arcuate convex central ribs 30 and 32 withouter frame members 34 and 36 projecting laterally outwardly fromopposite sides of the ribs and being interconnected by end frame members38. Within the outer frame members of the baskets, elongated rods 40extend from central ribs 30 and 32 to the end frame members 38. Thebaskets are reinforced by transverse ribs 42 extending to and betweenframe members 34 and 36 while transversely crossing and being fixed tothe inner rods 40 as shown in FIG. 4. Additional reinforcement isprovided by diagonal struts 44 which, in the specific embodiment, arefixed between the main central ribs 32 and 30 and the corner of thebaskets at the juncture between frame members 38 and 36. The basketmembers are made from a suitable material such as steel rods which maybe coated with any suitable weather and water resistant material ifdesired. As will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5, the baskets are shaped sothat when in fully closed position they will define an enclosure forholding oysters which have been harvested by moving the baskets along anoyster bed from an open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to closedposition shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

To facilitate initial pickup of the oysters, each basket is providedwith a plurality of fingers 46 projecting outwardly from the lower frameedge 36 as shown in FIG. 5. Fingers 46 on the baskets are inside-by-side overlapping relationship so as to also provide a barrierbetween the baskets when in fully closed position, preventing escape ofoysters from the lower edges of the baskets.

For purposes of support and actuation, the baskets are pivotally mountedto a frame, which in the shown embodiment includes a pair of rigid bars50 situated in side-by-side parallel relationship, with the main ribs 30and 32 of the baskets mounted between the bars 50 on pivot pins 52 and54 received in said bars 50. Actuation of the baskets is achievedthrough a motor, preferably a hydraulic or other fluid motor 60, mountedin close overlying parallel relationship to bars 50 as shown in FIGS. 2and 3. Motor 60 has a reciprocable drive rod 62 with a clevis 66 on itsouter end receiving a pivot pin 64 which passes through an ear 33rigidly projecting upwardly from central rib 32 of one of the baskets atan obtuse angle relative thereto. It will be seen that extension ofdrive rod 62 will cause rib 32 and the associated basket to pivotclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 3) about pivot pin 54 to move theassociated basket into closed position shown in FIG. 2, it beingunderstood that ear 33 is a rigid extension of rib 32 and moves togetherwith rib 32. Retraction of drive rod 62 will, of course, have theopposite effect to cause the basket to pivot counterclockwise aboutpivot pin 54 to open position shown in FIG. 3.

Movement of the other basket (which includes rib 30) simultaneously withbasket 32 is achieved through an improved linkage mechanism which, inthe shown embodiment, includes a pair of straight links 90 located onopposite sides of support frame bars 50 with their upper ends pivotallymounted on pivot pin 64 which connects ear 33 to drive rod 62 of themotor. The lower ends of links 90 are pivotally connected to a pivot pin94 which is mounted in a lug 92 fixed to rib 30 and projecting inwardlyfrom an upper portion thereof.

Motor 60 is secured to support frame bars 50 by means of a bifurcatedbracket 74 fixed to and projecting rearwardly from the end of the motorand receiving an upstanding lug 70 fixed to bars 50. Bracket 74 and lug70 are connected by a pin 72. Motor 60 is additionally secured to framebars 50 by means of vertical straps 80 secured to bars 50 in straddlingand restraining relationship with respect to the opposite sides of motor60 to insure that motor 60 and its drive rod 62 remain parallel to bar50. A ring or eye 82 is fastened to the top of straps 84 for connectingpulley cable 14 to the tong mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 6, motor 60 and winch motor M are supplied andexhausted with hydraulic or other motive fluid from a source 104 underthe control of two conventional four-way valves and 102, which areactuated by foot pedals 106 and 108 respectively located at station 20on the boat, as indicated in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, eachfoot pedal 106 and 108 has three positions. For example, foot pedal I06controlling the tong mechanism motor 60 may be pivoted clockwise orcounterclockwise to open or close the tongs as desired whereas aposition intermediate the latter positions would be employed to hold thetongs in either position. The same concept is applied with respect tofoot pedal 108, whereby pivoting it in one direction would rotate thewinch in one direction and pivoting the foot pedal 108 in the oppositedirection would rotate the winch in the opposite direction. Anintermediate position would hold the winch in position. Motive fluid issupplied to control valves 100 and 102 through a supply line 110containing a suitable pump while motive fluid is returned to the source104 through a return line 112. Any other suitable hydraulic system maybe employed. However, it is highly preferred that it be operated througha means of foot pedals which would free the operators hands for otheractivity during the oyster harvesting operation.

I claim:

l. Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising incombination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to saidframe for movement between open positions spaced apart from each otherand closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, a motormounted to said support frame and having an output means operativelyconnected to one of said baskets to pivot the same between said open andclosed positions thereof, and linkage means interconnecting said basketsfor transmitting movement of said one basket to the other basket foropening and closing the other basket simultaneously and in unison withsaid one basket, said baskets each having a grate construction includinga generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket atthe central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongatedrods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib andextending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship toeach other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket whenthe baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribspositioned between the central rib and the ends of the basket andextending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.

2. The tong mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein said one basket has anear fixed thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom above the frame andwherein said output means of the motor is connected to said ear to pivotsaid one basket between open and closed positions thereof, and whereinsaid linkage means includes a link having one end portion thereofpivotally connected with respect to said ear and having an opposite endportion thereof pivotally connected with respect to the other basket toactuate the other basket between open and closed positions in unisonwith said one basket.

3. The tong mechanism defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes apair of generally parallel bars extending in spaced side-by-siderelationship including pivot pins extending and being mountedtherebetween, said baskets extending transversely relative to thedirection of said bars and being mounted on said pivot pins, the pivotpins being located at opposite end portio s of said bars, said linkbeing located adjacent to but outwardly of one of said bars.

4. The tong mechanism defined in claim 2 further including strap meanssecured to said mounting frame on opposite sides of said motor forsecuring said motor relative to said frame, and an eye connected to saidstrap means for receiving a cable for connecting the tong mechanism tothe cable for raising and lowering the tong mechanism in the water.

5. The tong mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the lower longitudinaledge portions of said baskets face vertically downwardly when thebaskets are in fully open position and wherein said lower edges faceeach other in generally parallel position when the baskets are in fullyclosed position 6. The tong mechanism defined in claim 5 furtherincluding a plurality of fingers projecting from said lower edges ofsaid baskets at locations spaced longitudinally along said lower edgeportions of said baskets such that when the baskets are in fully closedposition, fingers on the baskets will be in overlapping relationship.

7. Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising incombination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to saidframe for movement between open positions spaced apart from each otherand closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, meansincluding a motor mounted on said support frame and operativelyconnected to said baskets to pivot the same between said open and closedposition thereof in unison, said baskets each having a grateconstruction including a generally convex central rib extendingtransversely of the basket at the central portion thereof below saidframe, a plurality of elongated rods fixed to and projecting fromopposite sides of the central rib and extending to the opposite ends ofthe basket in spaced relationship to each other so as to converge towardthe opposite ends of the basket when the baskets are in closed position,and a number of intermediate ribs positioned between the central rib andthe ends of the baskets and extending transversely of the baskets andbeing fixed to said rods.

1. Tong mechanism for harvesting oysters or the like comprising incombination, a mounting frame, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to saidframe for movement between open positions spaced apart from each otherand closed positions forming an enclosure for holding oysters, a motormounted to said support frame and having an output means operativelyconnected to one of said baskets to pivot the same between said open andclosed positions thereof, and linkage means interconnecting said basketsfor transmitting movement of said one basket to the other basket foropening and closing the other basket simultaneously and in unison withsaid one basket, said baskets each having a grate construction includinga generally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket atthe central portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongatedrods fixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib andextending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship toeach other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket whenthe baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribspositioned between the central rib and the ends of the basket andextending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods. 2.The tong mechanism defined in claim 1 wherein said one basket has an earfixed thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom above the frame andwherein said output means of the motor is connected to said ear to pivotsaid one basket between open and closed positions thereof, and whereinsaid linkage means includes a link having one end portion thereofpivotally connected with respect to said ear and having an opposite endportion thereof pivotally connected with respect to the other basket toactuate the other basket between open and closed positions in unisonwith said one basket.
 3. The tong mechanism defined in claim 2 whereinsaid frame includes a pair of generally parallel bars extending inspaced side-by-side relationship including pivot pins extending andbeing mounted therebetween, said baskets extending transversely relativeto the direction of said bars and being mounted on said pivot pins, thepivot pins being located at opposite end portio s of said bars, saidlink being located adjacent to but outwardly of one of said bars.
 4. Thetong mechanism defined in claim 2 further including strap means securedto said mounting frame on opposite sides of said motor for securing saidmotor relative to said frame, and an eye connected to said strap meansfor receiving a cable for connecting the tong mechanism to the cable forraising and lowering the tong mechanism in the water.
 5. The tongmechanism defined in claim 1 wherein the lower longitudinal edgeportions of said baskets face vertically downwardly when the baskets arein fully open position and wherein said lower edges face each other ingenerally parallel position when the baskets are in fully closedposition.
 6. The tong mechanism defined in claim 5 further including aplurality of fingers projecting from said lower edges of said baskets atlocations spaced longitudinally along said lower edge portions of saidbaskets such that when the baskets are in fully closed position, fingerson the baskets will be in overlapping relationship.
 7. Tong mechanismfor harvesting oysters or the like comprising in combination, a mountingframe, a pair of opposed baskets pivoted to said frame for movementbetween open positions spaced apart from each other and closed positionsforming an enclosure for holding oysters, means including a motormounted on said support frame and operatively connected to said basketsto pivot the same between said open and closed position thereof inunison, said baskets each having a grate construction including agenerally convex central rib extending transversely of the basket at thecentral portion thereof below said frame, a plurality of elongated rodsfixed to and projecting from opposite sides of the central rib andextending to the opposite ends of the basket in spaced relationship toeach other so as to converge toward the opposite ends of the basket whenthe baskets are in closed position, and a number of intermediate ribspositioned between the central rib and the ends of the baskets andextending transversely of the baskets and being fixed to said rods.